For Children In Need 2019, Doctor Who’s then-leading lady, Jodie Whittaker, took to Rak Studios in London to record a star-studded cover of Coldplay’s very first Top 10 single, “Yellow.” But in the middle of her rehearsal session, two of Coldplay’s iconic band members dropped in, surprising Jodie so much that she nearly burst into tears!
Coldplay’s lead guitarist, Jonny Buckland, and drummer Will Champion received a fangirl’s reception as Jodie covered her eyes, hiding the tears as she met her teenage heroes. She said embarrassedly, “I’m 36 but I feel like I’m 13!” Her embarrassment hardly settled down when she joked with the band, “Well, I’m not singing in front of you,” only for the producer, Guy Chambers, to tell Jodie she was about to record with the Coldplay band (a dream come true for any non-musician like Jodie).
Taking to the vocal booth, Jodie’s chorus gave way to the phenomenal force of Coldplay’s main riff, taking her aback as Jonny and Will re-recorded their noughties hit. After the session, the band called the natural, Northern twang of Jodie’s vocals “brilliant,” adding, “It’s lovely to hear a different voice on it.” No offence, Chris Martin.
Jodie’s Coldplay cover appeared on the Children In Need charity record, “Got It Covered”, featuring 11 time-defying tracks sung by some of the most critically acclaimed actors in the UK today, including Helena Bonham Carter, Olivia Colman, and Adrian Lester. Among the line-up, another Doctor Who actor takes the spotlight: David Tennant, covering the ballad Sunshine On Leith by The Proclaimers.
Jodie Whittaker’s ascent to fame began as an actress at the Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre, before making her on-screen debut in the 2006 comedy-drama, “Venus.” She co-starred in “St Trinian’s” and its sequel film, took a lead role in the Black Mirror episode, “The Entire History Of You,” before cementing her name in British TV through her role in the crime-drama “Broadchurch”. After appearing in TV shows “The Assets,” “The Smoke,” and “Trust Me” in the mid-2010s, Jodie’s most notable role came in 2017, playing the first female Doctor in the world’s longest-running sci-fi show, “Doctor Who”.
Coldplay’s debut album, “Parachutes,” hit #1 on the UK album charts back in the year 2000 and, ever since, a consistent swathe of #1 records has made the Londoners one of the most successful British bands on the scene this century.
Will Champion and Johnny Buckland revealed what brought them to the recording studio to collab with Jodie on her fundraising cover, disclosing, “Guy Chambers gave us a call and said that he’s recording an album for Children In Need and some very well-known people wanted to record some songs… We’re here to help out […] We had to sort of work out how to play [Yellow] again because it’s been a couple of years. It’s about 20 years old, that song now.”
If you’re a fan of the rock band Coldplay, be sure to check out their music and latest updates by subscribing to their YouTube Channel. You can also stay connected with them through their Facebook and Instagram pages. Don’t forget to check their official website for their recent tours and news. Highlights of their career include a surprising recording session with Jodie Whittaker for Children In Need 2019.